SHE is now one of the best known faces in Team GB cycling, but Dani King still remembers where it all began for her less than a decade ago.

The 22-year-old took a break from her busy training schedule to help Calshot Activities Centre celebrate its 50th anniversary in the same velodrome where she first raced as a teenager.

Since those early days, Dani has become a three-time world champion in the Team Pursuit, winning gold at London 2012 in the same event, while helping to set a new world record.

It earned her an MBE in the new year and, while she is based in Cardiff these days, the golden girl from Hamble showed she has not forgotten her roots by helping Calshot Activities Centre celebrate its golden anniversary.

“It was brilliant to be back, it’s where I trained every week as a youngster, it was the first track I rode when I first got on a bike at 14,” she enthused. “Hampshire County Council supported me through their Hampshire Talented Athlete Scheme and as soon as I got on the talent team I was here training every week and competing in the track league that was held here.

“My parents took me here twice a week, we had training camps here as well so it was a really important venue for me growing up at the beginning of my career.

“Going to south Wales or Manchester, the nearest other velodromes, would have been too much to do when I was at school so it was absolutely integral at the beginning of my career. Hopefully it will go on a lot longer helping up-and-coming athletes and inspiring more children.”

Dani rolled back the years by racing round Calshot’s velodrome before celebrating with the venue’s staff, dozens of Hampshire-based Games Makers (the London 2012 volunteers) and local schoolchildren.

She signed T-shirts marking the occasion before hoisting a celebratory flag.

Dani will be racing on the track later this month. “I’m in Italy in the next couple of weeks and will hopefully qualify for the World Cup in the Omnium,” said the former Hamble Sports College and Barton Peveril girl.

Currently an avid follower of the Tour de France, she will also be road racing again next month, having won the Milk Race in Nottingham two months ago. “I’ll be in Sweden at the beginning of August for a team time trial there and then a World Cup leading hopefully on to a Team Time Trial World Championships with the Wiggle-Honda girls,” she added.

Meanwhile, Calshot Activities Centre is looking ahead to the next 50 years.

Hampshire County Council’s executive member for culture, recreation and countryside, Councillor Keith Chapman, said: “As a home-grown Hampshire Olympic gold medallist, it was a huge honour to have Dani’s help in marking this fantastic milestone in Calshot’s history.

“Calshot has played a significant part in helping up-and-coming riders to gain access to time on the track, being the only indoor track in the south. It’s great to be able to support so many of these promising athletes through our Hampshire Talented Athlete Scheme. They have left an amazing legacy and we look forward to supporting new generations to come.”